"It
was at the groundbreaking ceremony of the future site of the Jazz Market where
I had the idea of a collaborative recording," said Bridgewater. "I thought that Irvin Mayfield, NOJO,
and I needed a musical 'calling card' so to speak, a product that epitomized
the joys of our accumulative collaborations. When I shared the idea with Irvin,
the seed was planted. After several emails, Irvin's song suggestions, song keys
picked out over the phone, we found ourselves at Esplanade Studio exactly one
month later. Under Irvin Mayfield's skillful leadership, band members had done
the arrangements, and over the course of three days we recorded, filmed,
bonded, and laughed our way through the most extraordinary recording experience
I've had. The music turned out so good, with my dear friend Dr. John blessing
us on a day's notice, Bill Summers' magical percussive layers, and a host of
well-known NOLA characters. I knew
Irvin and his band mates had bathed me, immersed me, baptized me in the waters
of the Mississippi, and exposed me to the roots of New Orleans. For me this album is a celebration of life
itself."
Added
Mayfield, "This album is a testament to the continued relevance of New
Orleans not only as a thriving city but also as a muse for communicating truth,
love and beauty. Dee Dee Bridgewater leads us through a new artistic moment
while answering a mandate created over a century ago by Jazz geniuses like
Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong. She proves through her art that New Orleans
is not just a city but more importantly an idea that can make your heart and
soul feel better."
Although
steeped in history, Dee Dee's Feathers is at the same time a modern exploration
of the music and culture that makes New Orleans a city and place unlike any
other. Traditional songs such as
"Big Chief" (featuring guest artist Dr. John), "Saint James
Infirmary" and "What A Wonderful World" – all songs indicative
to and steeped in the culture of the Big Easy – co-mingle with new compositions
such as "Congo Square" and "C'est Ici Que Je T'aime,"
transporting the listener on a sensory voyage through the city, whether dancing
in a Second Line or frequenting a storied bordello in the heart of the city's
French Quarter.
The launch
of the album and tour will also be tied-into the opening of NOJO's New Orleans
Jazz Market later in 2015. The first
solely-dedicated space for Jazz and Education in New Orleans, Bridgewater will
serve on the Board of Directors for the facility and has made a commitment to
furthering music and education in the city in tandem with the facility.
Also being
released in tandem with Dee Dee's Feathers is Mayfield's new book, New Orleans
Jazz Playhouse, a 304-page coffee table book that includes seven CDs of live
music recorded at his Bourbon Street Jazz club, Irvin Mayfield's Jazz
Playhouse. The book reflects on Irvin's unique experiences as a New Orleans
native, a Jazz musician, and the many influences in his life including
countless musicians, artists, photographers, chefs, teachers, and other
mentors. Unifying and grounding the various stories, poems, and essays are two
central concepts that permeate the book: jazz & love. Illustrating
Mayfield's well-crafted words is a
collection of some of the most culturally significant photography and artwork
by master craftspeople such as John Scott, Gordon Parks, George Rodrigue,
Herman Leonard, Greg Miles, and Erika Goldring, and the book features an
introduction by biographer Walter
Isaacson, a foreword by novelist Ernest Gaines, and an afterword by trumpeter
and jazz-master Wynton Marsalis.
Track
Listing:
1.One Fine
Thing
2.What A
Wonderful World
3.Big
Chief
4.St.
James Infirmary
5.Dee
Dee's Feathers
6.New
Orleans
7.Treme
Song/Do Whatcha Wanna
8.Come
Sunday
9.Congo
Square
10.C'est
Ici Que Je T'Aime
11.Do You
Know What It Means
12.Whoopin'
Blues
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